According to Brad Hill of bleachereport.com, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Demetrius McCray is having a fair to good rookie camp. Hill said that McCray’s role on the Jaguars is expected to be that of a backup corner and special teamer.
He should see time on the punt coverage unit and also the punt and kick block units. On the defensive side of the ball, McCray will more than likely back up fellow rookie Dwayne Gratz, veteran Alan Ball, and one or two other corners already on the roster. Those other corners will more than likely be Kevin Rutland and Antwaun Molden.
Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley and defensive coordinator Bob Babich see McCray as a better fit as an outside corner as opposed to in the slot.
Hill said that the Jaguars likely see McCray developing into an effective-press man cornerback with the ability to jam receivers at the line and mirror them downfield. However, the Jaguars also believe that in order for McCray to have the strength to be that type of a player, he will need a year or two in an NFL strength program.
McCray is no definite lock to make the Jaguars team roster.
“I expect the Jaguars to carry five or six cornerbacks Dwayne Gratz, Mike Harris, and Alan Ball likely already have roster spots locked up,” Hill said. “Between the two seventh round picks, McCray and Jeremy Harris and whatever corners the Jaguars add in free agency, the competition will be fierce in the secondary.”
Hill said that he doesn’t expect to see McCray on the field much in his rookie season whenever the special teams units are not on the field. However, when the Jaguars are punting, McCray is expected to be out there in coverage.
Hill said that McCray will more than likely not be on the field enough to intercept any passes, but he could make some special teams tackles.
“If he makes the roster, he should look at 2013 as an opportunity to learn, get stronger, and try to work his way up the depth chart,” Hill said.
Hill said that McCray was more than likely drafted for the future, not the upcoming 2013 season.
“ He’s a lottery ticket that has some of the attributes Gus Bradley wants in his cornerbacks, and the Jaguars hope he can develop the others and contribute in the future,” Hill said.
Jaguars defensive backs coach DeWayne Woods said that both McCray and Harris have a great upside,” Woods said.
“They’re long and they have pretty good athleticism. From a length standpoint, they fit what we’re looking for in terms of trying to play a little bit more press coverage. Jeremy is probably a little bit more linear. I think Demetrius, as he gets older, he’s going to fill out to be a pretty big man.”
Woods also said that he feels that both Harris and McCray are very similar.
“They bring some things to the table where we have to continue to develop them and get them to a level where they will be able to help us,” Woods said.
